This winner almost surely will face No. 1 Phoenix in the West semifinals, with the Suns favoured to win it all.

By far the big question for this series is whether Dallas superstar Luka Doncic will be ready for Game 1 due to injury (see below). Oddsmakers waited about as long as possible to put up series odds because of his uncertain status and the numbers tell you they don’t think he’s playing at least the first game: Utah is -286 to win the series and Dallas +214. The favoured exact result is Jazz in six at +319 and the long shot is Mavericks in a sweep at +1795.

The Jazz and Mavericks split four regular-season meetings, but Dallas covered the spread in all.

Jazz vs. Mavericks NBA Betting Odds

In our look at Raptors-76ers Game 1, we wrote that the Los Angeles Lakers reportedly are interested in Toronto coach Nick Nurse to replace the fired Frank Vogel. Another top rumoured candidate is Utah’s Quin Snyder, who hasn’t signed a contract extension with the club. Snyder was a Lakers assistant from 2011-12. Utah was the Northwest Division champion and is in the playoffs for a sixth straight year. If the Jazz can’t get past the West semis, which they have been unable to do in that span, they may let Snyder walk.

The team’s two stars, Donovan Mitchell and Rudy Gobert, don’t get along well and one could be traded this off-season. Gobert is in the running to win a fourth career NBA Defensive Player of the Year Award. He led the NBA in rebounding at 14.7 ppg and averaged 12.0 points, 13.7 rebounds and 2.7 blocks this season vs. Dallas. Toronto native Nickeil Alexander-Walker is a solid contributor off the bench for Utah. The Jazz are 2-6-1 ATS in their past nine as favourites.

Utah Jazz

In our look at Raptors-76ers Game 1, we wrote that the Los Angeles Lakers reportedly are interested in Toronto coach Nick Nurse to replace the fired Frank Vogel. Another top rumoured candidate is Utah’s Quin Snyder, who hasn’t signed a contract extension with the club. Snyder was a Lakers assistant from 2011-12. Utah was the Northwest Division champion and is in the playoffs for a sixth straight year. If the Jazz can’t get past the West semis, which they have been unable to do in that span, they may let Snyder walk. T

he team’s two stars, Donovan Mitchell and Rudy Gobert, don’t get along well and one could be traded this off-season. Gobert is in the running to win a fourth career NBA Defensive Player of the Year Award. He led the NBA in rebounding at 14.7 ppg and averaged 12.0 points, 13.7 rebounds and 2.7 blocks this season vs. Dallas. Toronto native Nickeil Alexander-Walker is a solid contributor off the bench for Utah. The Jazz are 2-6-1 ATS in their past nine as favourites.

Dallas Mavericks

Mavericks fans are absolutely furious that Coach Jason Kidd allowed superstar Luka Doncic to play in a mostly meaningless regular-season finale on Sunday and Doncic left with a calf strain in the third quarter. No timetable has been set for Doncic’s recovery, but I’m going to pick this game as if he’s not playing. Doncic is on the very short list as the best all-around player in the NBA as he averaged 28.4 points, 9.1 rebounds and 8.7 assists this season.

The Mavs have been one of the league’s best teams in the New Year and got better after the February trade of Kristaps Porzingis to Washington for Spencer Dinwiddie and Davis Bertans. Dinwiddie likely would start if Doncic can’t. Toronto native Dwight Powell (8.7 ppg, 4.9 rpg) starts more often than not these days for Dallas either at power forward or centre. The Mavs’ 52 wins were their most since their lone championship season in 2010-11 (57-25). They were 29-12 at home and won their final six there. Dallas is 4-1 ATS in its past six as a home dog. Again, the below pick is without Doncic.

NBA Prediction: Who Will Win Jazz vs. Mavericks?

• Regular Season
• Playoffs

Jazz Team Leaders

UTA

Points	Donovan Mitchell 25.87
Assists	Mike Conley 5.35
Rebounds	Rudy Gobert 14.67
FG%	Greg Monroe 80
Steals	Donovan Mitchell 1.48
Blocks	Rudy Gobert 2.08

DAL

Points	Luka Doncic 28.42
Assists	Luka Doncic 8.74
Rebounds	Luka Doncic 9.12
FG%	Dwight Powell 67.1
Steals	Luka Doncic 1.15
Blocks	Maxi Kleber 0.98

UTA

Points	Donovan Mitchell 25.5
Assists	Donovan Mitchell 5.67
Rebounds	Rudy Gobert 13.17
FG%	Nickeil Alexander-Walker 100
Steals	Nickeil Alexander-Walker 1
Blocks	Hassan Whiteside 1.33

DAL

Points	Luka Doncic 31.67
Assists	Luka Doncic 6.4
Rebounds	Luka Doncic 9.8
FG%	Dwight Powell 62.9
Steals	Luka Doncic 1.8
Blocks	Maxi Kleber 0.83

• Regular Season
• Playoffs

Mavericks Team Leaders

UTA

Points	Donovan Mitchell 25.87
Assists	Mike Conley 5.35
Rebounds	Rudy Gobert 14.67
FG%	Greg Monroe 80
Steals	Donovan Mitchell 1.48
Blocks	Rudy Gobert 2.08

DAL

Points	Luka Doncic 28.42
Assists	Luka Doncic 8.74
Rebounds	Luka Doncic 9.12
FG%	Dwight Powell 67.1
Steals	Luka Doncic 1.15
Blocks	Maxi Kleber 0.98

UTA

Points	Donovan Mitchell 25.5
Assists	Donovan Mitchell 5.67
Rebounds	Rudy Gobert 13.17
FG%	Nickeil Alexander-Walker 100
Steals	Nickeil Alexander-Walker 1
Blocks	Hassan Whiteside 1.33

DAL

Points	Luka Doncic 31.67
Assists	Luka Doncic 6.4
Rebounds	Luka Doncic 9.8
FG%	Dwight Powell 62.9
Steals	Luka Doncic 1.8
Blocks	Maxi Kleber 0.83

Injuries

Utah

Bojan Bogdanovic (SF)

Out Sun Rest - 10 / 04 / 22

Trent Forrest (PG)

Out Thurs Foot - 07 / 04 / 22

Mike Conley (PG)

Prob Fri Knee - 06 / 04 / 22

Royce O'Neale (SF)

Prob Fri Thumb - 06 / 04 / 22

Trent Forrest (PG)

Prob Wed Concussion - 30 / 03 / 22

Hassan Whiteside (C)

Prob Sat Foot - 24 / 03 / 22

Mike Conley (PG)

Out Sun Rest - 19 / 03 / 22

Hassan Whiteside (C)

Ques Sun Illness - 18 / 03 / 22

Danuel House Jr. (SF)

Prob Thurs Knee - 15 / 03 / 22

Bojan Bogdanovic (SF)

Prob Thurs Calf - 14 / 03 / 22

Dallas

Reggie Bullock (SG)

Prob Thurs Knee - 11 / 05 / 22

Maxi Kleber (PF)

Ques Wed Neck - 03 / 05 / 22

Sterling Brown (SG)

Prob Sat Illness - 10 / 04 / 22

Frank Ntilikina (PG)

Prob Mon Illness - 09 / 04 / 22

Marquese Chriss (PF)

Prob Sun Illness - 08 / 04 / 22

Maxi Kleber (PF)

Prob Sat Ankle - 02 / 04 / 22

Frank Ntilikina (PG)

Prob Fri Ankle - 30 / 03 / 22

Spencer Dinwiddie (PG)

Out Wed Rest - 30 / 03 / 22

Trey Burke (PG)

Prob Wed Illness - 29 / 03 / 22

Sterling Brown (SG)

Prob Fri Personal - 25 / 03 / 22

Injuries

Utah

player (position)	status		ats*current	o/u*	notes
Bojan Bogdanovic (SF)	Out Sun	Rest - 10 / 04 / 22	2-5	2-5	+ -
Bogdanovic will not face the Trail Blazers on Sunday as he will be given a day of rest.
Trent Forrest (PG)	Out Thurs	Foot - 07 / 04 / 22	3-5	4-5	+ -
Forrest is hindered by a left mid-foot sprain, and he will not suit up for Game 6 of the Western Conference first round against the Mavericks.
Mike Conley (PG)	Prob Fri	Knee - 06 / 04 / 22	3-6	4-6	+ -
Conley missed the previous game due to a sore right knee, but it is projected that he will face the Suns on Friday.
Royce O'Neale (SF)	Prob Fri	Thumb - 06 / 04 / 22	3-6	4-6	+ -
O'Neal missed the previous outing with a sore right thumb, but it is projected that he will hit the court Friday against the Suns.
Trent Forrest (PG)	Prob Wed	Concussion - 30 / 03 / 22	3-9	6-7	+ -
Forrest has missed the last three games due to a concussion, but it is likely that he will face the Thunder on Wednesday.
Hassan Whiteside (C)	Prob Sat	Foot - 24 / 03 / 22	3-11	7-8	+ -
Whiteside has been held out of the previous four games with a minor bone spur fracture, but it is expected that he will be active Saturday against the Warriors.
Mike Conley (PG)	Out Sun	Rest - 19 / 03 / 22	6-12	8-10-1	+ -
Conley will not take on the Knicks on Sunday as he will be given a day of rest.
Hassan Whiteside (C)	Ques Sun	Illness - 18 / 03 / 22	6-12	8-10-1	+ -
Whiteside missed the previous game due to an illness, and it is unknown if he will battle the Knicks on Sunday.
Danuel House Jr. (SF)	Prob Thurs	Knee - 15 / 03 / 22	6-13	9-11-1	+ -
House Jr. has been idle with a left knee bone contusion, but it is likely that he will return against the Lakers on Thursday.
Bojan Bogdanovic (SF)	Prob Thurs	Calf - 14 / 03 / 22	6-13	9-11-1	+ -
Bogdanovic has been idle with a left calf strain, but it is anticipated that he will battle the Lakers on Thursday.

Dallas

player (position)	status		ats*current	o/u*	notes
Reggie Bullock (SG)	Prob Thurs	Knee - 11 / 05 / 22	4-4	3-5	+ -
Bullock is nursing a left knee injury, but it is projected that he will take the court against the Suns in Game 6 of the Western Conference semifinals.
Maxi Kleber (PF)	Ques Wed	Neck - 03 / 05 / 22	6-6	5-7	+ -
Kleber is dealing with a neck injury, and it is unknown if he will face the Suns in Game 2 of the Western Conference semifinals.
Sterling Brown (SG)	Prob Sat	Illness - 10 / 04 / 22	11-8	8-11	+ -
Brown is ailing from a non-COVID illness, but it is projected that he will suit up for Game 1 of the Western Conference first round against the Jazz.
Frank Ntilikina (PG)	Prob Mon	Illness - 09 / 04 / 22	12-8	9-11	+ -
Ntilikina is dealing with a non-COVID illness, but it is likely that he will play in Game 5 of the Western Conference first round versus the Jazz.
Marquese Chriss (PF)	Prob Sun	Illness - 08 / 04 / 22	12-8	9-11	+ -
Chriss was held out of the previous game due to a non-COVID-19 illness, but it is likely that he will be available for Sunday's tilt versus the Spurs.
Maxi Kleber (PF)	Prob Sat	Ankle - 02 / 04 / 22	13-9	11-11	+ -
Kleber is hindered with right ankle soreness, but it is projected that he will suit up for Game 1 of the Western Conference first round against the Jazz.
Frank Ntilikina (PG)	Prob Fri	Ankle - 30 / 03 / 22	15-9	13-11	+ -
Ntilikina sat out the last game due to a sprained right ankle, but it is likely that he will suit up against the Wizards on Friday.
Spencer Dinwiddie (PG)	Out Wed	Rest - 30 / 03 / 22	15-9	13-11	+ -
Dinwiddie will not face the Cavaliers on Wednesday, as he will be given a day of rest.
Trey Burke (PG)	Prob Wed	Illness - 29 / 03 / 22	16-9	13-12	+ -
Burke is in the league's health and safety protocol, but it is likely that he will return for Wednesday's game versus the Pistons.
Sterling Brown (SG)	Prob Fri	Personal - 25 / 03 / 22	17-10	13-14	+ -
Brown missed the last game due to a personal issue, but it is likely that he will suit up against the Trail Blazers on Friday.